Michael Clarke reveals Gautam Gambhir’s blunder that cost India Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy win

Former Australia National Cricket Team captain Michael Clarke has opined that the India National Cricket Team could have won the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 if the Gautam Gambhir-led team management didn't make a big blunder in team selection.

Michael Clarke said that the inclusion of the star left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the India playing XI could have helped Team India pick 20 wickets throughout the series and possibly win the series.

Kuldeep Yadav returns to India from the England tour without a game

The left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav was made to warm the bench across all five matches of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 against the England National Cricket Team.

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Gautam Gambhir gave preference to spin-bowling all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar over specialist Kuldeep Yadav, and India managed to draw the series 2-2.

Since making his Test debut in March 2017 against Australia in Dharamsala, Kuldeep Yadav has played just 13 Test matches for India and has picked up 56 wickets at an average of 22.16, an economy of 3.55, and a strike rate of 37.3.

He faced constant snubs for years due to the presence of the modern-day spin-bowling greats Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in the Test playing XI, but when the former retired, many experts expected Kuldeep Yadav to get consistent chances.

However, that didn't happen, and the left-arm star spinner keeps waiting for the opportunity to prove himself in the longest format of the game.

Also Read: Glenn McGrath fires "5-0" Ashes warning to England after India's memorable draw

I think he could have helped India take 20 wickets in this series - Michael Clarke

Speaking to Beyond23 Cricket Podcast’s YouTube channel, Michael Clarke said that the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI could have proved to be a game-changer for India, but he also praised Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar for their heroics. He stated:

"The talk around Kuldeep Yadav, I don’t think, changes. He didn’t play a part in the series. I think he could have helped India take 20 wickets in this series. But you can’t take anything from these two (Sundar and Jadeja).

"With the bat, they’ve been exceptional, with the ball, they’ve been exceptional. So, I don’t think anybody can criticize those two players, these two spinners. The part of the impact they had in this series deserved their spot, grabbed it with both hands.”

I think he’s that X-factor for all of India - Michael Clarke

Clarke further said that Kuldeep Yadav is the X-factor of India, while Jadeja and Sundar are underrated. He explained:

“But I do think Kuldeep will continue to be a talking point because I think he’s that X-factor for all of India. He could’ve helped them throughout this series to take 20 wickets.”

“And then the two spinners, their batting is underrated. Has always been underrated for someone like Jadeja. He scores so many important runs for India. And, Washington Sundar another fifty as well."

Michael Clarke was also impressed with India speedster Akash Deep, who showcased his batting prowess in the Oval Test, smashing 66 runs. He said:

“Akash Deep made 66 off 94 balls, which was so important. Not only to continue, I guess the momentum and that partnership, but [also] 60 runs on that stage of the game, on that pitch was so important.”